2.2L L61 Performance Tech 16 valve 145 hp EcoTec with 155 lb-ft of torque

Can we use 87 octane with no problems?

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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 04:13 PM
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Can we use 87 octane with no problems?

I have been reading around the fourm and have yet to see anything bout the 2.2 but i see that both the 2.4 and 2.0 is suppose to have 93+ I read that the 2.0 can use 87 with no problems tho.. I am just curious to whether i will be forking over the extra 30 cents (which some ppl may not think is alot but i have to drive 100 miles a day for work at this time) Thanks for any answers
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 04:28 PM
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Talking

I have a 05 LS Sedan, I run 87 Octane, As a matter of fact...I have ran 90 and 93 Octane both and don't see any real difference. I do notice that I get better mileage with
the 87 Octane. (that's because it doesn't burn as hot) I drive 64 miles round trip back
and forth to work everyday, so mileage is important.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 04:30 PM
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I get lessened response in the SS SC when I do not use high test. But the book says you can run less if your are driving long trips on the highway. but i would rather spend the 30 cents and have the performance i wanted initially when i bought the car
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 04:45 PM
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Good to hear thanks and Cobaltz007 i can understand y you would pay the 30 cents extra if it messes with performance. Just at this time being and probaly not untill around 10000 miles on the car will i be worrying about any kind of performance Also i wonder when they release the S/C for the 2.2 I wonder if we will see the same effects to performance with it installed using 87 octane?? I would guess so tho
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 04:57 PM
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the 2.2 has a lower compression ratio than the 2.0sc. not sure on the 2.4 . so the 2.2 can run fine on 87 ,but u need the 92 to avoid detonation in the higher compression 2.0 or u may experience a loss in power,loss of fuel economy or worse case detonation.i use 87 in my 2.2 and it runs fine.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 05:23 PM
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the 2.4 has the highest compression, followed by the 2.2L and the 2.0L. on the 2.2L there is no need to run anything higher than 87 octane unless you are heavily modified.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 06:35 PM
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I noticed a huge differance in both power response and gas mileage when i switched to 93. So i would say try it and see b4 you come to any conclusions.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 07:15 PM
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I have an SS/SC so I use the higher octane,however I thought that the 2.2L only calls for 87 octane. If your motor is designed to run on regular octane then there is very little benefit to running higher octane.

Steve.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 07:47 PM
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I've only ever put 87 in my 2.2, maybe next time I fill up I'll try a higher octane and see if there are any note-worthy gains..
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:06 PM
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The 2.4L VVT and the 2.0L Supercharged are the only ones that recommend use of 91+ octane. The 2.2L is designed to perform best on 87 octane.

2.2L 10:1 CR
2.4L 10.4:1 CR
2.0L SC 9.5:1 CR
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:08 PM
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89 all the way









___
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 06LSCobalt
Good to hear thanks and Cobaltz007 i can understand y you would pay the 30 cents extra if it messes with performance. Just at this time being and probaly not untill around 10000 miles on the car will i be worrying about any kind of performance Also i wonder when they release the S/C for the 2.2 I wonder if we will see the same effects to performance with it installed using 87 octane?? I would guess so tho
The ECOTEC build book says that the 2.2L with SC must use 91 or higher.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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I put 89 in my car once and it sputtered a little...so now i only put 93 in her. I find buying gas in the ghetto is the cheapest but can be scary at times.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:32 PM
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After spending goog money on a great car dont get cheap with the gas!! your looking at an extra 4.00 a tankful. Nothing but 93 in mine.
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Old Oct 20, 2005 | 10:33 PM
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87 is fine for the 2.2..using higher octane will make no power difference; don't waste your money. As long as you don't have high compression, FI, or n20, 87 octane is the way to go.
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 05:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Fast Freddy
After spending goog money on a great car dont get cheap with the gas!! your looking at an extra 4.00 a tankful. Nothing but 93 in mine.
its not about being cheap. its about recognizing the reasons for running higher octane and understanding why it is and isn't needed. Assuming that because it has a higher octane rating its better for your car is wrong.

But if you've got extra gas money to burn let me put that towards my 87 octane.
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 05:18 AM
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This entire arguement comes down to one fine point. If you've got access to a scan tool... monitor your Knock Retard... If you get anything more than 0 KR with 87, try a higher grade or a different station and see what happens.

If you get knock from 93 there is something seriously awry with your car.
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 08:18 AM
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I have experimented with all three "Standard" grades of gas. I dont like 87 because I feel like I go through it like its water.
I will as a standard use 89, and thats where I get my ideal gas milage.
Sometimes I will put in 93, to the ends of my car having what feels like better throttle response. Not nessesarily more power, but a little bit more kick.

Over all though, 89 is best for 2.2 in my opinion. There is no need for premium, unless you switch to forced induction, then its a must to run 93 (or 91 for you high elevation folks)
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Old Oct 21, 2005 | 03:41 PM
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the 2.2 is tuned for 87 octane
using 93 wont help, because the car isnt tuned for it
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 08:51 AM
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Using a 93 in a 2.2 will end up spoiling your car. The 87 is fine for everyday use and is probably the highest rating you should go with
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 09:28 AM
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You can run 87 unless you have a higer comp ratio than 9to1
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Psycho
You can run 87 unless you have a higer comp ratio than 9to1
The 2.2L is 10.0:1 CR and uses 87 octane.
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Psycho
You can run 87 unless you have a higer comp ratio than 9to1
Higher then 9:1?? I thought the 2.2 had 10:1 stock?? just confused on the compression now
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Old Oct 23, 2005 | 11:11 PM
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it is 10:1

that statement is false.
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Old Oct 24, 2005 | 06:37 PM
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87 just like everyone else says for the 2.2
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